Have You Blown Off Google’s New Privacy Policy?

As some of you already know, I was planning to blog about my site’s new theme and why I updated it, but I felt this topic was more important.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably heard about Google’s new privacy policy that will go into effect March 1, 2012.

There’s been a lot of chatter about this on the Web over the past three weeks, so I’ve been sitting back absorbing all the info.

Like many people, you may have ignored the updated policy notice and/or clicked “Dismiss” because who wants to read all that fine print, right?

Besides, you aren’t doing anything illegal or unethical online, so what’s the big deal? They’re just creating one policy that covers all their services. What’s the harm?

But, that’s just it.

Google knows you won’t read it clearly, and even if you do, you’ll probably get tripped up on the legal speak (blah, blah, blah…. Neeeext!)

So What’s New?

In a recent YouTube video, Google described the updated policy as one beautifully, simple experience. The presentation was quite rosey and appeared as if Google is doing us all a great service as they simplify their privacy policy.

So what does it all mean?

Starting on March 1st, when you use any of Google’s services (Calendar, Gmail, Search, Groups, etc.) they will collect and store that information to serve you with better advertising, search results, etc.

Doesn’t sound like a huge deal, right? Isn’t that how Google has been operating anyway?

For things like search and web browsing, yes, that is how it works today. But on March 1st, that policy allows Google to collect and combine the data across all 60 Google services to better target ads and “improve your experience.”

The problem is not so much about Google wanting to personalize your experience. The bigger problem is the privacy issue should hackers or the wrong people get a hold of this information.

Let’s say you’re doing a research paper on fighting child pornography and you do a Google search to collect some information. Maybe you even watch a few YouTube videos about people speaking out against it and send a couple of emails on the subject.

Now there is an online paper trail of you performing searches, watching videos and sending emails on child pornography that could be used against you should that data get into the wrong hands.

Now I realize this is a very extreme example, but I’m just providing one of the worst case scenarios for illustration purposes.

No Big Deal. I Can Just Opt Out, Right?

Yes, you actually can opt out and it’s very easy to do. Just log out of Google.

Problem solved, right?

For some maybe, but not for those who rely on a variety of Google services. Logging out is just not an option for many people.

That’s what bugs me the most. You either opt out and stop using all of Google’s services, or login and be forced to share everything you do. There’s no way to use their services and opt out.

Of course, the reason Google did not give us that option is because they know everyone would do just that — thus defeating the whole purpose and agenda of the new policy.

Stay Informed

This post is not about trying to turn you away from Google. I’m simply educating you on what the new policy means since you may have missed the fine print.

You have the right to be properly informed and make decisions that are appropriate for yourself and your business.

Some people have dropped Google’s products altogether, while others have decided to ride with the new policy changes.

Nevertheless, I feel a sense of responsibility to educate since so many of you use multiple Google products these days. Even if you’re OK with the new policy and plan to do nothing, you should at least understand and be aware of it.

The Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) filed a lawsuit against the FTC last Wednesday stating that Google’s new policy is a “clear violation.” However, Google insists they are not violating their user’s privacy and does not intend to change how personal information is shared outside of Google. You can read more here.

March 1st is fast approaching, so please share this with your followers and make sure they know what they are “accepting” when the new policy takes effect.

And if you agree that Google should allow you to opt out of their services upon logging in, please sign this petition. I did.

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So will this new policy change how you use Google and their services? Are people blowing this all out of proportion? Please share your thoughts.

Really, this is very big deal for our security and personality. thank you very much to educated us about Google’s privacy police. Google should give clarification about this matter. but i think Google also would have thought about it. Google will responsible for this. There is any idea to escape Google tracking. Please suggest me

While it’s good to be always informed of changes, the way I see it, this kind of things are to be expected. It’s a “free” service so there has to be a catch. Besides, is there really such a thing as online privacy nowadays what with Facebook and all other networking sites?

Ran across this article today that shows EXACTLY how to get out of Google’s tracking that begins on March 1st with their policy changes. And although they will still be able to track your movements, it will be anonymously. Steps are a bit tricky, because Google doesn’t want you to do them, but worth it in the end.

It seems as if Google has used a rather sneaky method of rolling this out, Thanks for clarifying in detail what exactly this policy changed entailed, as i am sure many people are unaware of how many different Google platforms are affected by this. Great post, thanks for the info!

I am so glad I stopped by! I had no idea. I was the dismiss kind of person who just accepted everything and moved on. You know, I am a psychologist and have to do keep researching on topics which might be otherwise a little “controversial”. And why does Google have to keep a watch on us? Is there some hidden agenda we are not noticing?

I think a petition does Very Little no matter how many signatures. If you’re unhappy about what they do with your information and how they market it you would have to stop using Google. No more Chrome, Youtube, Gmail etc oh and Adsense. 🙂 Many times its just easier to whine and gripe about something because its human nature.

This post is not about whining and griping. It’s about creating awareness to people who may not have read the policy so they are aware what is happening with their data. As for the petition, it may not work — but nothing wrong with standing up for something you believe in and creating awareness.

Perhaps its time to resort to good ole fashion library searches for items you do not want tracked on google. 🙂 Frankly, I did not read the new policy in its entirety, but I read enough to know tracking of personal information and data was coming down the pipeline. However, it is the internet. One way or the other you are being tracked… all the more reason to cease putting so much personal data “in the clouds”. We have become so comfortable with storing everything “online” for convenience and ease of use forgetting about more practical things such as privacy, safety and personal rights. FaceBook has introduced this new timeline, dairy-like feature. Well aren’t diaries supposed to be personal to you and whomever you CHOOSE. FB also introduced a “subscriber” feature so anyone can subscribe to you EVEN IF you do not want them as your friend if you elect to turn on this feature.

Bottomline, it is up to us to protect ourselves. Privacy and freedoms are diminishing right before our eyes. As long as we value convenience and ease of use over our own privacy, safety and personal rights these things will continue to happen on a larger scale.

Bottom line, take you personal life offline and maintain personal data as it related to your business on your own servers and not in the “clouds”. Technology can become a monster and we are allowing it to happen. Google is not big without its users.

I completely agree with you. While I think it’s rather sneaky of Google to do this, all our information is tracked regardless. Your ISP has your data, every server you have touched has your data, your router has your data. There’s no escaping online tracking unless you don’t use it period.

you are a genius,great subject for a blog.
You are a brave lady by going against the giant of the internet.
After watching the video shown in the petition link,reading the comments left by some of your readers and finding 9 Google adverts where the news about Watchdog sues FTC over new Google privacy policy i think we have not chance whatsoever with that petition.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvhsJyecpLc
above video explain what they are all about.
Most likely you will see some adverts while watching the video.

Yes, I have blown it off. Even after numerous, NUMEROUS notifications I haven’t bothered to even look twice at it. When i first saw this post I got nervous, but thanks for clearing things up for all of us!

I heavily rely on google for a wide range of services for several of my businesses so I don’t know what to do. I have considered the options and at the moment I will just have to live with it. I have feeling this behavior could eventually start to backfire on them but for now I don’t think much will change.

To be honest I have kept my use of Google services always to the absolute minimum as I have never felt comfortable with them (or any internet site) being able to see what I get up to. And whilst it probably won’t change how I use Google in the immediate future it has made me consider whether I need to start exploring other options for the services I do use.

I fall into the category of all those who knew this was around, but never really bothered to read the fine print. I am glad you put up this post to educate all of us about it!

I guess logging out of Google would not solve the problem or would it? Or may be we would need to be careful about the sites or links we open – or wold there be some other better option to remain clear of all this?

I think Google is misusing the powers it has !
Google is totally wrong on this one !
Storing so much of info about people at one place is just so dangerous !!
It can cause so much damage if it gets into wrong hands.
Might be something like we saw in the movie “Die Hard 4.0”.
This is so terrible from Google.

Hmmm, dilemma. When I read the policy to be honest it did not bother me, and I do not think it will either.

As to stop using google products, just can’t do that, as in Google+ has just been too good to me. Facebook and the rest will follow, they are greedy businesses and that is that, for now, I am not to pushed with panic.

I was often surprised that the ads in my gmail account related with text in letters, wich I receive.
Probably it is necessary to switch to alternative search engines, mail servers, etc., than to be led by a monopolist

Hey Lisa,
Thanks for the informative post about what’s going on. Rather depressing since I’ve just joined the “social” community using G+. I doubt that I’ll be using it any more once March 1st rolls around. I think that would be the biggest thing we could do to them as a group to let them know where they screwed up, just stop using their products…

Just to keep things clean, I’m going to switch browsers and just use Chrome when I need to check site stats on Analytics. Since I don’t like what FireFox does to my computer, and IE really stinks, it looks like Safari will be my only option.

thanks for breaking it down, your right. nobody wants to read the fine print. I know I didn’t. I wish somedays i could just sign out of google. Almost impossible, I’m so deep entwined we’ll never be able to separate.

Lisa thank YOU for decoding the policy so nicely. I have had it on my to do list for quite some time and still had not gotten around to it (something about convoluted text in masses). Well explained and thank you, will contemplate whether to join the petition

yes I agree rick, looking forward to hearing lisas new post about swopping themes however I must admit there are some lovely clean sleek themes, which I cant seem to get with thesis.
Lisa would love to hear of any other new themes you considered before finally choosing woo themes.

Hi Lisa
Thank you for the update on Googles new Privacy Policy. I must admit that I did not read it all because it was very long and in a lawyer language that I can’t stand to read. It is a bit sad that Google are going to have that much power over people. Maybe we should be starting to do our search on Bing instead 😉

Guess what…I didn’t read it. I am thinking like “They will find a way to do it anyway”. But I did notice that Facebook is pulling every single word you post to target ads since recently. Before, seems that ads were targeted by my likes but the other day, I started getting ads based on literally one word I wrote in a comment on someone’s post. There is nothing else that could have pulled it but it was 100% related to what I was talking about in that comment.

I will sign the petition but not sure if we can do anything about Google… 🙁

Yeah, Facebook and Google are in a definite war with regards to collecting/targeting information. I don’t think anything is going to be done before March 1st either but I wanted to do my small part. 🙂 At least let us opt out Google!

No no, Lisa – if I’m signed into gmail and I perform Google searches from another window at my friend’s house in New York City I see the same “previous” searches i performed at my place, more than 100 miles away… those searches are on a cloud, I tell ya!

PS – and why did you leave my mis-spelled comment online instead of using the corrected comment? (I thought I caught the mis-spelled one but I guess it escaped into the digital jungle!)

Yes I did not think like you did, now I am scared of all that good new change … well I guess I will have to remember this articles till google change it policy again hahaha thanks for the great info lisa

I did read the policy and realized that there’s really nothing I can do unless I want to totally check out. Google’s doing this because of government regulations, and Facebook won’t be far behind. It’s a very smart policy on their part because they’re saying something I’ve often said, that being no one has to use their service or be a part of it.

Not that I totally like it, but I understand it. The day I bought my HTC phone they created a Gmail address for me and suddenly I had Gmail. They started connecting people with me that I hadn’t thought about just because I might have written a comment on their blog some time ago or said something to them on G+. As for search, true, I can log out, but I search looking at 50 entries at a time; do I really want to alter that every time I come back to Google? And am I willing to give up Adsense, my best consistent revenue stream, over this particular principle?

I was one of the people that put off reading Google’s privacy policy, but I eventually did read it.

The one thing I don’t understand is why online companies don’t provide options for individuals. As users of their service, Google should provide some method of allowing us to determine what information we wish Google to collect from us. Let’s face it, with their free tools, Google could potentially have a lot of information about us.

BTW, I like your new theme. I have use a WooTheme myself on another blog and found the support and ease-of-use to be great.

Good question, Janice. I would think that since the changes are more about using Google services on their own sites we shouldn’t need to change our policies. But if I hear otherwise I will let you guys know, for sure.

hi lisa
i am so angry at google. sorry i have poor english. the bad side include no keyword research using google after one year or so….. because google says that they are going to keep the performed searches private! thanks for educating your followers. thumbs up!!!! may be we should protest against it and make it diseappear like sopa.
bye thanks